Method and apparatus for imaging using digital dental x-ray sensor

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus including an intraoral dental X-ray electronic sensor facing an x-ray source and connected to a signal processing unit that allows taking and storing multiple x-ray images even without the unit to be connected to database computer. The processing unit has a memory that may be equipped with energy source and the unit is mounted on the sensor holder and can be easily removed from it. The images from the memory can be downloaded into a database using standard serial digital interfaces during or after the image acquisition.

Providing advanced dental services requires continuous improvement inthe quality and convenience of the dental procedures. This inventionoffers a method and apparatus for dental imaging that provides ultimatesimplicity, easy operation and patient comfort in taking dental x-rayseries.

The current invention is an apparatus comprising an intraoral dentalX-ray sensor facing an x-ray source. The sensor is connected to a signalprocessing unit that allows taking and storing multiple x-ray imageswithout the sensor to be connected to a storage database.

The digital dental radiography sensor system consists of and is notlimited to CCD or CMOS pixel array encapsulated in protective enclosure,wired to a signal processing unit that converts the analog signal todigital and further to manage the digital information into storagedevice and/or to interface other devices.

Beside managing and storing the information the signal processing unitalso provides driving signals to the sensor. The sensor and the signalprocessing unit are powered from power source as example power deliveredover the chosen interface or battery source.

The image is stored to internal memory either in encrypted or a standardimage format and can be accessed from the computer using the serialinterface. The internal memory of the signal processing unit can bemapped as additional memory to the computer when the device isconnected.

The processing unit may be equipped with battery to provide sufficientpower for taking a full mouth series. The device can be mounted on thesensor holder and can be easily removed from there. The images taken arestored in the memory and can be downloaded into a database using serialdata interface.

Secondly the invention provides a method for image acquisition thatallows taking of multiple images without the need of the sensor to beconnected to image database. Taking the images is simple process asfollow: (1) attaching the sensor and the processing unit to the holder,(2) activating the signal processing unit, (3) positioning the sensorholder, (4) positioning the x-ray head to face the sensor, (5)activating the x-ray unit, (6) repositioning the sensor and repeatingsteps 3 to 6 as long as it takes to complete the image series, (8)loading the images in the database.

The sensor is activated ones and deactivated when the series is taken.The acquired images are stored in own memory as conventional formattedimages or transferred using the serial interface if available during orafter the image acquisition.

The images are saved in the internal device memory using conventionalimage file format as BMP, JPG, GIF, TIF, etc. and can be retrieved anddisplayed without additional processing or need of proprietaryinterface.

The processing unit may also be equipped with proper indication for theimage acquisition process and/or indication for the quality of theimage. After the dental image series is completed the battery isunplugged and placed for charging on a docking station. The sensorcapture device may be connected to a standard serial interface link, busor network including and not limiting to USB, UART, SPI, 1394, Ethernet,etc to upload the images to the dental database.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the main functional components of the system as they areconnected together: digital sensor (1), processing unit (2), powersource (3) and unit holder (4). The unit holder is designed for easyconnect and disconnect to the sensor holder. If necessary differentdesign of the unit holder will be supported to adapt to the variety ofsensor holders.

At FIG. 2 the sensor (1) is mounted on sensor holder (5) and the cableis wired along the positioning device to the processing unit (2) theprocessing unit is attached to its own holder (4) that allows easy mountto the sensor holder. The power source (3) provides power during theimage acquisition and is removed when the processing unit is connectedto a computer.

The power to the processing unit can be provided also through theinterface cable (6) connected to the serial interface connector duringthe image acquisition as shown at FIG. 3. The corresponding blocks arethe same as in the previous paragraph.

FIG. 4 shows the main functional blocks of the sensor system includingthe digital sensor (1), sensor cable (2), processing unit (3), powersource unit (4).

The processing unit may consist of analog front end (3 c), sensor timingcircuit (STC) (3 e), controller (3 b), memory (3 a), interface circuit(3 d) and power management (3 f).

The power source unit may consist of energy source (4 a), powermanagement (4 b), interface circuit (4 c), memory (4 e), communicationdevice (4 f) and controller (4 d).

Analog front end (3 c) conditions the output sensor signal and feeds itto a signal converter for obtaining the digital readouts. The sensortiming circuit (3 e) creates the appropriate clock phases fortransferring the pixel charges in CCD arrays or provides proper pixelreadout of CMOS devices.

The controller (3 b, 4 d) is a device that manages the acquired data andsynchronizes the readout process. The memory (3 a, 4 e) is present tostore or help transfer the images from the sensor to the storage device.The interface circuit (3 d, 4 c) implements the actual interface oftransferring the image to the file storage device. The power management(3 f, 4 b) delivers the voltages necessary for the operation of thesystem.

The energy source (4 a) is present to maintain the charge necessary forthe acquisition process. The communication device (4 f) allows wirelessinterface connection when the unit is operating. The microcontroller (3b, 4 d) can provide indication as example a display for the image afterthe acquisition. The display can be displaying number of characters,illuminated light with certain color or pattern or any similar visual orsound related feedback.

Not all blocks at FIG. 4 are required. Minimum required blocks for thefunctionality of the device are 3 a to 3 f. The availability of blocks 4a to 4 e can be arranged within different product configurations.

1. A dental intraoral x-ray sensor system connected to a signalprocessing unit mounted on the sensor holder.
 2. A dental x-ray sensorsystem according to claim 1 powered from a serial interface connectionduring the image acquisition.
 3. A dental x-ray sensor system accordingto claim 1 powered from a serial interface connection during the imageacquisition that allows the images to be retrieved via the serialinterface cable.
 4. A dental x-ray sensor system according to claim 1powered from a power source using the dedicated power pins from theserial interface connector.
 5. A dental x-ray sensor system according toclaim 1 powered from a power source comprising an interface thateliminates the need of a cable during the image acquisition.
 6. A dentalx-ray sensor system according to claim 1 incorporating an indication forthe quality of the taken image.
 7. A dental x-ray sensor systemaccording to claim 1 where the energy source can be charged on a chargerstation through the serial interface connector.
 8. A dental x-ray sensoraccording to claim 1 powered using the serial interface with memory inthe signal processing unit.
 9. A dental x-ray sensor system according toclaim 1 powered from energy source using the serial interface connectorwhere the memory is located in the battery piece.
 10. A dental x-raysensor according to claim 1 powered from energy source by the serialinterface connector where the processing unit supports wirelessinterface.
 11. A dental x-ray sensor according to claim 1 powered fromenergy source by the serial interface connector where wireless interfaceis located in the energy source unit.
 12. A method of image acquisitionusing a digital dental intraoral sensor and signal processing unit withinternal memory where multiple images are stored.
 13. A method regardingclaim 12 that allows the images to be saved into the internal devicememory as conventional image files.
 14. A method regarding claim 12 thatallows the images saved in the internal memory to be retrieved withoutneed of proprietary interface.
 15. A method regarding claim 12 thatallows taking full mouth dental series without the sensor to beconnected to the dental database at the time of the acquisition.
 16. Amethod regarding claim 12 where the processing unit allows a feedbackfor the quality of the taken image to be displayed.
 17. A methodregarding claim 12 where the processing unit allows the image to becanceled.
 18. A method regarding claim 12 where the processing unit hasthe possibility to repeat the image.
 19. A method regarding claim 12where the processing unit has the possibility to delete the image.